FRANCE: Monaco finally announce Falcao signing

The much speculated transfer of Colombian international Radamel Falcao to French big spenders AS Monaco was finally confirmed on Friday. The 27-year-old striker leaves La Liga side Atlético Madrid after two successful seasons scoring an amazing 52 goals in 67 games. According to some sources Falcao has signed a five-year deal, although there is a get-out clause in a year’s time if one of Europe’s larger clubs, come in for him.

The announcement was made by Monaco’s billionaire Russian owner Dmitry Rybolovlev (pictured above) speaking through an interpreter at a dinner celebrating Monaco’s promotion to the French top flight next season.: “I would like to officially announce that Falcao has signed his contract.”.

Rybolovlev continued: “We are proud to have secured one of the world’s best players and we are positive that he will help Monaco regain its due status at the top of French football. We are extremely pleased that Radamel has accepted the challenge of coming to play for our wonderful club.”

Head coach Claudio Ranieri and Prince Albert were also present at the event, but Rybolovlev didn’t give any details about the size of the transfer, but French media state it is one of the biggest, if not the biggest in the country.

Falcao had a €60million euro buy-out clause in his Atlético contract but some media sources claim the actual transfer fee is €45million with the player due to pick up a monster annual salary of €14million. If that information is correct, it would still make Falcao one of the most expensive buys in French football history.

Since being bought by the Qatar Investment Authority in 2011, Monaco’s rivals Paris Saint-Germain turned Ligue 1 on its head by bringing an until then unheard of and unrivalled spending potential into the country. But the big spending Russian, Rybolovlev has already shown during the close season, since his side won promotion back to the top flight, that he is ready to compete with his chequebook.

Just last month, the cash was splashed signing Falcao’s 21-year-old international team-mate James Rodriguez and 26-year-old Portuguese midfielder Joao Moutinho, both from FC Porto where Falcao has also played, for joint fee of a rumoured €70million. The Russian has also gave Ranieri the go-ahead to sign veteran Portuguese defender Ricardo Carvalho, 35, on a free transfer from Real Madrid.

“I want to thank all those who believed in our success,” continued the owner.“Managing a club as important as Monaco is a great honour. I have an incredible feeling and great pride but this is just the beginning.”

It is thought that Falcao arrived in Monaco on Monday night and undertook a medical on Tuesday while details of his contract were being finalised. Since then the Colombian has returned to Madrid, where he still has last league game this weekend with Atlético.

Due to the rumoured contract clause a big European club can release Falcao from the deal after one year. If this is true it is widely speculated across the media that the Monaco deal may just be a one-year stop gap until Real Madrid purchase the striker.